Apple

Apple’s lower Mac sales created by ignoring iPad demand

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

When is a tablet a PC? When it's running Windows 8. Conversely, when is a tablet not a PC? When it bears the Apple logo. In a second quarter littered with negative sales figures, it took some fancy footwork to lump Apple Mac shipments in with an industry decline that's lasted five quarters.

In its estimates of PCs shipped during the last quarter, Gartner earlier this week announced PC shipments on average fell 10.9 percent. Even Apple - which has consistently beaten PC numbers - fell 4.3 percent. However, in a curious note, the firm explained the figures included desktops, mobile PCs and mini-notebooks - but not iPads. What gives?...

Apple may have bought into chip plant to perhaps build processors in-house

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

The SemiAccurate blog is known for a mixed track report in terms of hardware news (hence the name).

For instance, it correctly predicted Apple would switch back to Nvidia's graphics processors for 2012 MacBooks, but got it all wrong calling for an Intel-to-ARM transition for the Mac lineup by early 2013.

Today's exclusive story, hidden behind a $1,000 paywall, claims Apple has made the unthinkable by buying into a third-party chip plant.

The semiconductor facility is believed to be operated by United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), a Taiwan-based chipmaker established more than thirty years ago...

Star Wars: KOTOR for iPad is half price for a limited time

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2013

If you've been on the lookout for a deep discount on BioWare's excellent role-playing iPad game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, now is the perfect time to grab your copy.

Publisher Aspyr Media has just slashed the game to five bucks, down from $10, as part of KOTOR's 10th anniversary. The massive download is discounted for a limited time so you'd be wise to pick it up like right now before this rare promotion expires...

Alleged Retina panel shortages could push back iPad mini 2 into early-2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 6, 2016

While supply chain sources appear to agree that a fifth-generation iPad is launching this Fall, pointing to Apple's procurement of components ahead of trial production, there is no definite consensus on a successor to the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

A new report out from Taiwan on Friday asserted that Retina panel shortages may have forced Apple's leadership to push back the device into early-2014.

Tim Cook & Co. have reportedly scrapped the original plan which called for launching the iPad mini 2 during the fourth quarter of 2013, in time for the holiday shopping season...

eBay Exact launches on iOS, lets you buy customizable 3D-printed merchandise

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2018

The online auctioning giant eBay on Friday launched a brand new iPhone application called eBay Exact, designed to let customers buy customizable 3D-printed merchandise on the go.

3D printing with eBay (a first for the firm) is as easy as selecting a product, choosing from a variety of materials (including plastics, wood and metals) and designs and using customized engraving to add your own personal flare to create a unique item.

eBay partnered with 3D printing leaders such as France-based Sculpteo, Brooklyn-based Makerbot and Canada-based Hot Pop Factory on a cherry-picked selection of products that include iPhone cases, figurines and jewelry...

Rovio teases new Angry Birds Star Wars game

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Angry Birds maker Rovio earlier this morning announced that something will be announced next Monday, July 15. In a series of tweets, the company published a teaser image suggesting a successor to the Angry Birds Star Wars game. "We’re talking the biggest character line-up ever, awesome new powers, and maybe even a few surprises," the Finnish developer wrote in blog post...

Apple looking to add new Taiwanese suppliers to build 2014 iDevices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 27, 2016

According to the latest chatter, Apple of California is looking to introduce new Taiwanese suppliers to its supply chain in a bid to diversify manufacture of iOS devices beyond the current production partners Foxconn and Pegatron.

The development comes just as Foxconn reported better-than-expected June quarter earnings on increased sales of its TV set making business.

Meanwhile, a city in China's Henan Province is helping Foxconn increase its production capacity and inviting Apple to set up a domestic sales center...

Eric Schmidt: Apple and Google relationship improving

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Last year, the war between Apple and Google reached epic proportions. Not only were the two squaring off in the mobile platform space, and in the courtroom, but Apple actually booted Google's YouTube and Maps apps off the pre-installed list in iOS.

But things are calming down between the two tech titans, according to Google's Eric Schmidt. The executive chairman had nothing but nice things to say about the iPad-maker, telling reporters at the Sun Valley retreat that he "has a lot of respect for Apple..."

Apple investigating claims of illegal tin mining

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Apple updated its supplier page late last night, saying that it has decided to head up a "fact-finding visit" to Bangka Island, Indonesia to address concerns on whether or not its suppliers are sourcing tin from unregulated and illegal mines.

Bangka Island is one of the world’s premier tin-producing regions. But the area has also been linked to illegal tin mines that are, among other things, responsible for the destruction of tropical forests, coral reefs and fishermen’s livelihoods...

iOS exclusive Worms 3 due this Fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Ah, the Worms games. Thoughts of a small platoon of earthworms always bring to mind fond memories of the Amiga days, which I tend to think had introduced home computing and video gaming to the masses.

The Worms series single-handedly launched UK-based development studio Team 17 into stardom (their other smash hit: the Alien Breed series).

Originally named Team 17 because it was mostly comprised of teenage talent, they now develop for Windows PCs and video game consoles.

But that doesn't mean the Worms franchise is dead, quite the contrary - the third installment to the Worms games is hitting the iOS platform exclusively in the third quarter of this year. They made it official yesterday to mark the fourth anniversary of their first venture onto the App Store with Worms...

This Friday, Best Buy is kicking off two-day iPad trade-in promo

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 11, 2013

With the next-generation full-size iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 reportedly entering manufacture - in time for an assumed Fall release - prudent folks may be looking to ditch their existing device ahead of launch, while it's not yet obsoleted. Figuring as much, Best Buy will be kicking off a newsworthy two-day promotion tomorrow, June 12, where you receive a $200 Gift Card in exchange for your iPad 2 or iPad 3.

These credits are redeemable against any in-store or online purchase so now may be a good time to get rid of your outdated iPad and treat yourself to some fancy brand spanking new electronics from the retailer without breaking the bank. Full details are right after the jump...

Sony’s Music Unlimited iOS client enables offline mode and 320kbps streaming

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Sony back in May promised to update the iOS client supporting its Music Unlimited service with the much-needed offline playback and support for high-quality 320kbps AAC streaming. The refreshed software was originally meant to surface in the App Store shortly, but it got lost in the approval limbo. Sony finally today put out a press release announcing availability of Music Unlimited version 1.3.1 with offline playback, high-quality streaming and more...